How Far Can We Take SIP in the Future?

Last week, Thomas Cross of Telecom Reseller (News - Alert) suggested something very interesting as we approach the New Year and strive to break new technological limitations. He asked, “What is the ultimate endpoint when considering SIP devices?”

While it’s true that many of us first think of phones – and rightfully so, considering the slew of robust SIP phone solutions addressing today’s critical business needs – Cross suggests that this can extend to encompass a wide variety of things, from the refrigerator to the sofa even to the toilet. He further suggests that “the future of SIP” is found solely in these endpoints, and not just the ones asked for in offices and other real-life locations.

“The greatness of SIP is in its simplicity and it can be easily added to any [communication] device,” he says.

What Cross touches upon next is something that Bill Savino from Panasonic (News - Alert) divulged to me last week concerning the future of SIP and where it’s headed as we ring in the New Year. Cross and Savino both agree that SIP is increasingly becoming un-tethered to limitations of simply sitting at your desk. As bring your own device (BYOD) comes barreling on through, it’s important to consider what SIP communications will look like in this new view.

Similarly, Savino recently told me that looking forward, mobility will continue to be a heavy driver for the SIP protocol, saying, “We expect mobility to continue to assume increasing importance as business users strive to be less and less tethered to the office and wired solutions…seamless integration between desk and mobile devices will be key going forward.”

Some actually see mobility to be a more conventional prediction of the future of SIP, claiming that BYOD can translate into the use of gaming devices as business tools; however, in response to this, Cross says that “there are practical realities of effective communication systems,” suggesting that there is in fact a limit to be reached – or at least for the time being.

Rather, Cross asks us to consider the many possibilities of SIP that can include a home and even ourselves. “Start thinking about the endpoints where the majority of problems exist, rather than offices,” he suggests. “A SIP interconnected home would make more sense, especially as more users spend more time there.  The smart car is also a great place as there a millions of trips every day that could be enhanced with traffic, fuel management and safety endpoints to improve performance, productivity and lower TCO.”

In conclusion, Cross leaves us with what he calls “the ultimate endpoint – you.”

To learn more about Panasonic’s SIP phones, click here.

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